Christmas reflections: past, present and future

Santa gave his La Conner elf contingent a special assignment: reach into their hearts to pull out Christmas memories, snapshots of the present moment and hopes for the future. They were to write these down and share them with each other to buoy their spirits. Here’s hoping they buoy yours, also. Merry Christmas!

1950s CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Sledding down 4th Street in Anacortes on my red Western Flyer (I still have it).

Stringing popcorn and cranberries to drape around outdoor trees for the birds with my mom.

Dabbing a paste of water and Bon Ami cleanser onto a Christmas cutout to make decorations on the windows (also left the windows clean when we wiped it off in January).

Home-making all the gifts we gave.

White galoshes with a little button and hoop on the side.

A silver aluminum tree at home with a rotating color wheel.

Playing local radio Bingo with cards provided from the grocery store (winners could win a Christmas turkey).

Seeing Santa at the Island Theatre and receiving a bag of peppermint candy canes.

Singing in the Children’s Choir Christmas Program at the Anacortes Methodist Church (my grandmother played the organ for 40 years at that church).

Elf B

PARENTS DELIGHTING CHILDREN

My excitement was each day in anticipation and on Christmas morning, too.

Nothing was ruined by seeking Christmas early.

In some form of harmony, we sang Christmas songs as a family.

My Dad and Mom had hopes we could be like the Lennon sisters but Mr. Ed Sullivan did not invite us.

My Mom inhaled and my Dad exhaled.

On Christmas Eves we sat in a circle on a large oriental rug, with a brick fireplace lighted, eating mounds of popcorn apportioned onto individual napkins, while drinking a liquified red jello, “Jello Plop,” that my Mom said gave us protein.

Soon we heard the tinkling of sleigh bells outside and then the lights went off quite mysteriously and oranges flew around the room in the dark because the elves delivered them thru the chimney.

My parents delighted in delighting children.

Head Elf H

THE CHRISTMAS SINGING STOOL

Another wonderful memory of mine is coming home with the family from church on Christmas Eve. The tree would be lit and there would be a fire in the fireplace. Mother would ask each of us, my older brother Bill, my younger brother Craig and me to take a turn and stand on her little brown needlepoint stool in front of the fireplace. We were to recite or read a poem or sing a song for her and our father. Brother Bill now has this special stool placed in his office at his lake home at Priest Lake, Idaho where he and his family celebrate Christmas every year. Happy memories, Happy times!

Merry Christmas!

Elf D

CHRISTMAS FAMILY MOVIES

T’was the evening before Santa.

It was the era of the home 8 millimeter movie camera. Christmas was an especially fertile movie occasion for my parents. Their three children starred in each episode: Jeff the oldest, Harry next then myself. Baby Bradley was too young to be casted. The set was three of dad’s nylon, generously stretchy dress stockings safety pinned on a string draped in front of the stone fireplace. A fire was burning to warm up the cozy scene and a Christmas tree dripping with tinsel was sharing the frame.

We three children wore matching flannel one-piece plaid pajamas with buttoned up rump flaps. On the count of one, two, three the 8 mm film rolled: the stars lined up by age smiled at the camera unconcerned that some of their teeth were missing. They showed the viewers that they each had a cookie on a saucer and a half glass of milk, then turned around and proceeded to walk their treasures to the fireplace for Santa’s midnight snack. There was some lingering at this point presumably fighting the temptation to taste the cookies making sure they were fit for Santa. Was this a marsh-mellow test?

Elf J

WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY

A Christmas tree glows softly in the quiet of the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. I am sitting next to my husband who is lying in bed, his body attached to a plethora of surgical technology designed to save his life. He is in recovery from open heart surgery and everything in my world feels intense. I am listening to the subdued voices of care providers in the hallway, and watching the multi-colored graphs blinking from the monitors that decorate his room. I am holding his hand, his body is still groggy from the six-hour procedure. Suddenly his surgeon pulls open the privacy door. He comes in and stands by my husband’s bed.

“Christmas came early,” he says smiling.

ElF M

THE GIFT TO OUR FUTURE

December, 2021

The joint birthday party for my youngest granddaughter (turning four) and her mother (turning 40) was a blowout. The house was crammed with dancing friends and laughing children. Guests made zany ornaments for the upcoming holiday, which were pinned to the walls, the ceiling, and themselves.

Traveling across the country to attend the party, the airports were zones of celebration. People were friendly, considerate, warm. It was like being with a huge extended family.

Since the pandemic ended, many people have found their way into civic engagement. A commitment has sprung up to assist those who live on the margins. Tendrils of connection between ideological camps are beginning to sprout.

The revival of touch has been one of the most welcomed changes. Everywhere, people are walking arm in arm. Hands are shaken. Hugs are shared. And playing with grandchildren is happening in person.

Let it be so.

ElF W